NCJ Number
204662
Date Published
September 2003
Length
93 pages
Annotation
Using a random-digit-dialing sampling methodology to obtain a random sample of adults in the United States age 18 and older, this telephone survey solicited information on identity theft.
Abstract
A total of 4,057 interviews were conducted in 4 waves from March 17 through April 23, 2003. Survey objectives were to estimate the incidence of identity theft victimization, measure the impacts of identity theft on the victims, identify actions taken by victims, and explore measures that may help victims of future incidents of identity theft. Of the total number of respondents, 1.5 percent reported that within the last year their personal information had been misused to open new credit accounts, take out new loans, or engage in other types of fraud, such as misuse of the victim's name and identifying information when someone is charged with a crime, when renting an apartment, or when obtaining medical care. The survey analysis suggests that almost 3.25 million Americans were victimized by the misuse of 1 or more of their existing accounts other than credit cards. A total of 2.4 percent of respondents reported misuse of one or more of their existing credit cards or credit card account numbers in the last year. Including all types of identity theft, 4.6 percent of respondents reported that they were victims of ID theft in the past year. Adding the costs that resulted from "misuse of existing credit cards and credit card accounts only" and "misuse of other existing accounts" to those from "new accounts and other frauds," the total cost of such ID theft approached $50 billion per year, with the average loss per victim being $4,800. Most victims did not report the crime to law enforcement authorities, with only about 25 percent of respondents indicating they had reported the crime to local police. Only 22 percent of the victims said they had notified one or more credit bureaus about their experiences. Of those victims who contacted credit bureaus, 62 percent asked to have a "fraud alert" placed on their credit reports. Theft, including a lost or stolen wallet or pocketbook or the theft of a victim's mail, was the most common means of obtaining the victim's personal information. Respondents' suggestions for prevention and response measures were to improve police investigations, instructions to potential victims on how to prevent and respond to ID theft, actions by financial institutions to detect and prevent ID theft, and improved follow-up and assistance by financial institutions in repairing the records of victims. Extensive figures and appended survey questionnaire and description of TeleNation methodology